Explore museums, historic sites, cemeteries, and landmarks across Smyth County while collecting stamps, discovering local stories, and completing your Explorer’s Guide.
Begin Your Adventure Through Smyth County History
Smyth County History Quest is a summer-long community adventure designed especially for children and families. Participants are invited to visit historic places throughout the county, learn about the people and events that shaped our communities, and complete a free Explorer’s Guide along the way.
At each stop, participants will collect a stamp or special “quest word.” Share photos from your journey on social media for weekly prize opportunities, then return your completed guide at the end of the summer for a chance to win the Grand Prize drawing.
How It Works
Follow these four simple steps to take part in the Smyth County History Quest.
Pick Up a Guide
Get a free Explorer’s Guide at participating locations.
Visit Quest Stops
Travel to historic locations across Smyth County and collect stamps or quest words.
Share Your Adventure
Post photos from your journey on social media for chances to win weekly prizes.
Return Your Guide
Turn in your completed Explorer’s Guide to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing.
Pick Up Your Explorer’s Guide
To begin your Smyth County History Quest, pick up a free Explorer’s Guide at one of the participating locations below. The guide will help you track your visits, collect stamps or special quest words, and complete your adventure.
Explorer’s Guides are available at:
- Smyth County Museum
- Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia
- Museum of the Middle Appalachians
- H. L. Bonham House / Smyth County Chamber of Commerce
- Smyth County Public Library Locations
Quest Stops
Use this page as your guide when visiting each location. Each listing includes directions, hours, a short description, and any special instructions for collecting your stamp or quest word.
The Octagon House
Visit one of Smyth County’s most distinctive historic homes and learn about ongoing efforts to preserve its history and architecture.
Address: 615 Octagon House Road, Marion, Virginia
Hours: Outdoor/site visit; daylight hours recommended.
Quest Task: Find the special quest word for this stop.
Aspenvale Cemetery
Explore a historic cemetery connected to generations of Smyth County families, veterans, community leaders, and local stories.
Address: Add address or directions here.
Hours: Outdoor/site visit; daylight hours recommended.
Quest Task: Find the special quest word for this stop.
Mt. Pleasant Preservation Museum
Learn about the history, heritage, and community stories connected to the Mt. Pleasant area of Marion and Smyth County.
Address: 318 S. Main Street, Marion, Virginia
Hours: Check before visiting or follow the Explorer’s Guide instructions.
Quest Task: Find the special quest word for this stop.
The Salt Park
Discover the deep history of Saltville, where natural resources, industry, archaeology, and community history meet.
Address: Add address or directions here.
Hours: Outdoor/site visit; daylight hours recommended.
Quest Task: Find the special quest word for this stop.
DAR Revolutionary War Memorial
Visit a local memorial honoring Revolutionary War history and the people connected to America’s founding era.
Address: 109 West Main Street, Marion, Virginia
Hours: Outdoor/site visit; daylight hours recommended.
Quest Task: Find the special quest word for this stop.
Museum of the Middle Appalachians
Explore the natural and cultural history of the region, from ancient fossils and geology to the people and communities of the Middle Appalachians.
Address: 123 Palmer Avenue, Saltville, Virginia
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM; Sunday, 1 PM–4 PM
Quest Task: Collect the special stamp during your visit.
The Bonham House Tourism Center
Stop by this historic Chilhowie location to learn more about local history, community heritage, and places to explore in the area.
Address: 408 Whitetop Road, Chilhowie, Virginia
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM
Quest Task: Collect the special stamp during your visit.
Smyth County Museum
Explore artifacts, photographs, documents, exhibits, and stories connected to Smyth County’s communities and shared history.
Address: 123 East Main Street, Marion, Virginia
Hours: Monday–Saturday, 12 PM–4 PM
Quest Task: Collect the special stamp during your visit.
Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia
Step into the region’s past through historic buildings, exhibits, and stories about early settlement, farming, and rural life in Southwest Virginia.
Address: 1322 Rocky Hollow Road, Atkins, Virginia
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday, 1 PM–5 PM
Quest Task: Collect the special stamp during your visit.
Prizes & Photo Sharing
Participants can share their journey throughout the summer and enter completed guides for the final drawing.
Weekly Prize Chances
Share photos from your History Quest adventure on social media and tag the program page or use the official hashtag for a chance to win weekly prizes.
Suggested hashtag: #SmythHistoryQuest
Grand Prize Drawing
Complete your Explorer’s Guide and return it by the deadline to be entered into the Grand Prize drawing at the end of the summer.
Return deadline: Add date here.